I have times where I get all psyched up and wanting to be a part of something positive in this country. The Occupy movement captured the imagination because it represented the feelings of a large majority of people. However, it wasnt really well organised and was mainly reliant on the optics of physically camping outside a bank to further its cause.

I have no doubt that it would be difficult to start a movement designed to encourage people to get involved and interested in politics, but I dont believe its impossible.

I was at a motivational seminar (for my job) and there was one speech made that is appropriate in what I say here. Between the ages of 1-5, humans are seldom more focused on what they want and they allow nothing take away from their focus. I believe that we need to focus on what we can do to try and change the political culture, instead of what we cant do. We cant force people to be interested, but we can try differant things to appeal to them.

I get fedup thinking about politics and take mental Sabbaticals regularly. I think we all get fed up thinking about it which is fine. But if we had a purpose and a strategy to at least focus on in the times when we are up for the fight, I think it would be possible to begin something wonderful.

The hypocritical part of my posts is that I dont know where to begin and I dont know how much time I could afford to give to my suggestion. I am barely getting by as it is, so political reform from my end will have to wait until I have some sort of financial stability to really commit to a cause I hold dear.

Look at what is exercising folk. A nest of birds in a derelict housing block. Shit tanks. Bogs. A couple shaking hands. We have a very long way to go.

The sun’s come out. “Where’s my Chablis and Roquefort?”

You dont start a campaign and have its main theme being “wake up Ireland” . . You make it about everybody and try to make it in a way that is about encouraging involvement. I would have the theme being “the peoples voice” or something on those lines , with the idea that its trying to give a voice to those who dont think the partys represent them (pretty anybody not an active member of a party), who doesnt feel the trade Unions represent them and people who dont even vote!

We once lived in a land where the catholic church was considered the voice of reason, an untouchable organisation physically and even in discussion. Look at where they are now . .

Im not saying there is an easy solution, all I am saying is waiting for it to happen, even in a time of economic collapse, hasnt worked thus far. Perhaps its time to try and take the bull by the horns and try something differant.

Promising things at election time that cant/wont be performed, not clearly answering important questions (why was planning enquiries cancelled?) and getting deeped into politics (how are ministers chosen – eg is it usually strategically chosen people to benefit the taoiseach keeping his position as opposed to picking the right person for the right job?).

People want to be led, which is why you need a leader, but the problem arises when that leader is corrupted , but in many cases its corruption by self-preservation and/or just having your principles eroded over time by the culture that exists (ever work in a job where you were once enthustiastic and over time became disillusioned with the politics that went on in the office?).

The Unions are a perfect example of how non political parties can lead and get support of the people. Unfortunately the Unions are all rhetoric and only serve those who fund them. They have no moral authority and more importantly they have a specific vested interest to improve things for a specific vested group.

This campaign should be about everybody and nobody in particular. It should be impartial, objective and should encourage an awareness/clarity on politics that tries to involve everybody.

I don’t have all the answers (this can sometimes be used in discussions by people who think if you don’t have all the answers your idea is futile!), but this campaign shouldn’t be about any one and the message should be that we all have a voice, we are all important, we are all a community and through collective hard work we can/will create a better society.

I would respectfully suggest no one is foolish enough to attempt to ‘wake up’ our voters. They are most likely to chew your head off. We live in a land of virtuality, fictional legends and comforting delusions. That’s probably a plausible definition of a somnolent volcano. One would be better advised to learn how to grow one’s own food and collect rainwater.

Our choices arent simply to vote FG/FF/LAB etc . . If we take a long term view view of things (something our politicians are incapable of doing), we can begin the process of purging ourselves of repeating the same mistakes over and over again, by allowing the status quo to be maintained. Personally, I dont believe we need a new party because that wont encourage change and will only attract carpet bagger politicians who jump on any populist bandwagon with traction. What you need is to focus on educating people on the importance of their vote. Sounds simple, but its a tough sell because people are so disillusioned with politics, they dont believe anything that comes out of anybodys mouth within politics. That is why you start outside, in a position that has no vested interest, nothing to gain by promoting sound ethical politics.

It would probabley involve tactics like shaming politicians into doing the right thing. But the idea would be that this is an incorruptable ideal thats about transparency, accountability and sound principles. Unfortunatley, if you were to look at something like the FF constitution ( http://www.fiannafail.ie/content/pages/5097/ ) , it sounds perfect and something we could all follow, but in reality its nothing more then words. I wouldnt class any other party much differant.

What human nature has thought us its that cultures can change. Indeed if we look at the revolution against the catholic church in Ireland, one can see how even we, as a united nation, can eventually find clarity where once we were blind.

People are lacking a moral leader, who is not here to make promises or tell them what they want to hear. Somebody whose actions are about unifying the country and harnassing the community spirit. People dont feel like they have a voice, because they think that they can only speak to their politicians once every 5 or so years. Can we not come up with something to make it easier for people to get .Even if its just an online medium?

I dont believe its impossible to find a good leader and I dont believe its impossible to change the way Irish People think and make them value their vote. I dont believe its impossible to force the corrupt culture that exists in politics out . . But somebody has to make a start somewhere . .

Voters can only choose among the offerings by those who are ‘playing the game’. And I agree that voters who might wish to see a change in how the game is played might conclude that the best way of getting the message across is to spoil their votes. Apart from these I expect there will be more ‘protest voting’ the next time around and I think more voters will simply stay at home. I don’t see last year’s 70.1% turnout being repeated.

There is a sad inevitability about it all. FG and Labour appear to be determined to battle on for as long as they can. SF should do very well and FF, by boxing clever and seeking to re-invigorate its organisation, should also do reasonably well.

Labour is on a hiding to nothing and FG, inevitably, will lose seats. It came very close to maxing out its seat numbers the last time for its share of votes and transfers. It wouldn’t need a huge drop in 1st preferences or a major change in the parttern of transfers to knife in to their current seat total.

Dick Spring effected a change of horses during the ’92-’97 Dail without forcing a general election. But I can’t see the current alignment of forces and pressures – both internal and external – leading to a change of horses – even if it is badly needed.

If enough of the newly elected Labour TDs who will be turfed out were to revolt and FG and FF were prepared to accept a historic re-alignment, many things would be possible. But the parties won’t force this; only the voters can do it at the next election when FF will very likely have a choice of joining with either FG or SF, in some shape or form.

It is even less likely that FG and Labour will make any effort to change how the game is being played in terms of resolving the imbalance between parliament and the executive. With the overwhelming majority they enjoy they have a once in a generation opportunity, but they are both revelling too much in the executive dominance they enjoy. And the only thing voters can do is to deprive them of that enjoyment at the next time of asking.

It is sad and stupid because introducing these reforms would resonate with many voters, force a more thorough scrutiny of proposed opposition policies and give them a sporting chance of being re-elected.

But they are pathologically incapable of seizing the opportunity.

I had a comment preceeding my last one which might have helped to clarify it – and is in line with your contentions – but it’s still in the moderation queue.

There may be an element of some steam being vented in the Seanad – and being allowed to be vented in the Seanad – as a much, much safer and less impactful alternative to it being vented in the Dail. I would be much more impressed if there had been some serious rumblings in the Dail. One can always live in hope that some public representatives might begin to take their parliamentary duties seriously, but it would be unwise to rely on those who are part of the problem suddently becoming part of the solution.

It’s a waste of time relying on the academics/commentators/opinion-formers/civil society groups. They all have their own interests to advance or protect – that often deviate from genuinely advancing the public interest. It just needs enough voters to wake up to the way the game is being, and has been, played and to realise that this game-playing is the single most important factor that contributed to Ireland being in the mess it’s in.